Moisture soil probe system

Abstract

A moisture soil probe system includes a probe having a solid rod with a plurality of sensors attached around the outer circumference of the rod in close proximity to the soil being measured, covered by a waterproof coating. A wireless transmitter unit receives a precision GPS timing signal which is propagated to logic and control circuitry associated with each sensor for use in calculating a volumetric moisture content of the soil in proximity to the sensor. The calculated moisture content is transmitted back to the wireless control unit which further transmits the data to a central station.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A moisture soil probe system for measuring moisture content in soil, a probe comprising:
 an elongated solid rod with a plurality of sensors attached along an outer surface of the rod, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is configured to determine a moisture content of soil in proximity to each of the plurality of sensors; and 
 a wireless transmitter in communication with the plurality of sensors, the wireless transmitter operable to receive a GPS timing signal and to propagate a precise timing signal to each of the plurality of sensors. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises flex circuitry attached to micro circuit boards housing logic and control circuitry. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the flex circuitry comprises adjacent tabs, and wherein the adjacent tabs form the plates of a capacitive element of the logic and control circuitry. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a coating covering substantially the entirety of the probe and encasing the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the probe comprises a cap attached to an upper end, the cap comprising internal threading allowing attachment of a slide hammer for installation and removal of the probe. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a battery pack in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter and/or the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the battery pack and wireless transmitter are magnetically coupled. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of sensors comprises oscillator circuitry and logic and control circuitry, and wherein the logic and control circuitry comprises a microprocessor programmed to:
 count pulses generated by the oscillator circuitry over a predetermined period of time and determine the frequency of the oscillator therefrom; 
 calculate a volumetric moisture content based on the determined frequency; and 
 transmit the calculated volumetric moisture content to the wireless transmitter unit for access by a remote device. 
 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the oscillator operates at a nominal frequency of approximately 200 MHz or greater. 
     
     
       10. A method for measuring moisture content in soil, comprising:
 providing a probe comprising an elongated solid rod with a plurality of sensors attached along an outer surface of the rod, wherein each of the plurality of sensors is configured to determine a moisture content of soil in proximity to each of the plurality of sensors; 
 inserting the probe into soil in which the moisture content is to be measured; 
 positioning a wireless transmitter in communication with the plurality of sensors, the wireless transmitter operable to receive a GPS timing signal and to propagate a precise timing signal to each of the plurality of sensors. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of sensors comprises flex circuitry attached to micro circuit boards housing logic and control circuitry. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the flex circuitry comprises adjacent tabs, and wherein the adjacent tabs form the plates of a capacitive element of the logic and control circuitry. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 10 , further comprising a coating covering substantially the entirety of the probe and encasing the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the probe comprises a cap attached to an upper end, the cap comprising internal threading allowing attachment of a slide hammer for installation and removal of the probe. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 10 , further comprising a battery pack in electrical communication with the wireless transmitter and/or the plurality of sensors. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the battery pack and wireless transmitter are magnetically coupled. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 10 , wherein each of the plurality of sensors comprises oscillator circuitry and logic and control circuitry, and wherein the logic and control circuitry comprises a microprocessor programmed to:
 count pulses generated by the oscillator circuitry over a predetermined period of time and determine the frequency of the oscillator therefrom; 
 calculate a volumetric moisture content based on the determined frequency; 
 and 
 transmit the calculated volumetric moisture content to the wireless transmitter unit for access by a remote device. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17 , wherein the oscillator operates at a nominal frequency of approximately 200 MHz or greater.